Devil’s Hole

Geology: Devil’s Hole is one of the more famous sites within Death Valley National Park, especially among environmentalists. Devil’s Hole is a solution pit within the Cambrian Bonanza King limestone (Cornwall, 1972; this is a good geologic map of the Nevada sections of Death Valley National Park). The hole itself is about 70 feet long and 35 feet wide. The water surface is about 50 feet down and the depth to the bottom of the cave is at least 365 feet. The location of the hole seems structurally controlled by a fault that strikes about N 40o E and is nearly vertical (Winograd and Thordarson, 1975). The water level fluctuates with precipitation, evaporation, barometric pressure, tidal forces and pumping from farms to the northwest (Dudley and Larson, 1976). This concern for the water levels was triggered in the 1970’s by a concern for the continued viability of the Cyprinodon diabolis, the species of pupfish that lives in this most restrictive environment. As of 2006, the fish are perilously close to extinction despite stabilized water levels. After nearby Yucca Mountain was proposed for a major nuclear waste site, Devil’s Hole became even more significant as groundwater contamination from such a waste disposal site might leak through to here and other significant groundwater resources throughout the Death Valley region. There have been innumerable research papers on the potential effect of this activity. Nearby, Point of Rock Spring and Crystal Reservoir are also worth a visit. There has been a great deal of reclamation of this area (especially the removal of non-native vegetation) as Devil’s Hole is now surrounded by the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. As a result, natural groundwater flow is returning to the area, especially at Point of Rocks Spring.